Dodgers may need to change their marketing theme

The Dodgers' marketing theme this season is: "It's time for Dodger baseball."

Perhaps it should be amended to: "It's time for change."

Major League Baseball seized control of the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers on Wednesday, an extreme measure resulting from the tumultuous ownership of Frank McCourt and the reported $433 million he's in debt.

Commisioner Bud Selig released a statement announcing the move by MLB, making this a dark day in the club's history.

Frank and ex-wife Jamie bought the team in a heavily leveraged deal in 2004 and moved from Boston. There were dozens of debacles from the start, so many so the owners had to hire a crisis management firm to address the issues. The divorce and ensuing financial woes have been the most dramatic, in which the public learned of their alleged misuse of Dodger money and the extravagant lifestyle of the owners, whose divorce settlement includes nine properties.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Times reported Frank McCourt took out a $30 million loan from Fox, the team's television partner, to meet payroll through the end of April.

On Wednesday, Selig issued this statement: "I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the Club, its great fans and all of Major League Baseball."

Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves was anything but business as usual. Frank McCourt was not sitting in his usual seat near the Dodgers dugout and hadn't released a statement, although a source told The Associated Press that McCourt plans to sue Major League Baseball.

In an e-mail obtained by mlb.com, McCourt sent this note to Dodger employees: "In light of the Commissioner's announcement today, I ask that you please continue to conduct business as usual with our complete dedication to the game and our loyal fans. Each of you has represented this organization with class, and while this is no doubt a challenging time for all of us, I truly appreciate your efforts."

There have been other cases of Major League Baseball taking over teams in the past, such as the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers, but not to the extent that the commissioner seized control of a team from its owner.

Last year, former Rangers owner Tom Hicks, who also had financial problems, was still making the decisions, but an MLB representative, John McHale Jr., was working in the background. The team went all the way to the World Series before losing to San Francisco.

Selig has yet to announce who he will appoint to oversee business operations. Asked if he held the power to make a trade if he desired, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said he didn't know. He had yet to talk to someone from MLB about those questions, but he said he expects that conversation will happen soon.

Colletti and others took solace in the Rangers' ability last season to still trade for pitcher Cliff Lee, a key in-season deal.

"It's not a good day when you have turmoil for an organization and a situation like this," Colletti said.

According to The Associated Press, possibilities to run the franchise include Stan Kasten, the former Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals chief executive, or McHale Jr., MLB's executive vice president. Corey Busch, who helped negotiate the McCourts' purchase of the Dodgers, might be considered, too.

Colletti learned of MLB's move via television and held a team meeting, along with Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, before the game.

Mattingly celebrated his 50th birthday Wednesday in difficult fashion. He's in his first season as manager, taking over for Joe Torre, who now works for MLB, and already has dealt with off-field issues other managers have never faced. Mattingly acknowledged he was surprised by the decision.

"Obviously, this is a great franchise and you don't want to see anything bad happen to it," Mattingly said. "It's hard to imagine this happening somewhere like the Dodgers, but crazy stuff happens everywhere."

Outfielder Matt Kemp, who's off to a strong start this season, batting .438, said he won't worry about the tentative ownership.

"I'm sure Major League Baseball will do what they need to make this team good," Kemp said. "I worry about driving in runs and stealing bases and all that good stuff."

Asked about his future with the team, Kemp said: "I don't want to go anywhere else. This is what I know. I've been a Dodger for nine years. They drafted me. This is all I know."

Earlier this year, Selig denied McCourt a $200 million loan from Fox.

Mary Brockmeyer, who lives in Arcadia and is a season-ticket holder, didn't learn of the news until she arrived at Dodger Stadium.

"I'd hate to think the McCourts would've done something to make the organization suffer," Brockmeyer said. "If this keeps something negative from happening, I'm thrilled. MLB has the Dodgers' best interests at heart. This makes me question (the McCourts). Where has all the money gone?"

MLB will continue its investigation into that matter. And as TMZ reported, the IRS is investigating the McCourts for taking $145 million from the team and not paying taxes on it.

In a statement, Jamie McCourt said: "As the 50 percent owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, I support the Commissioner's actions to provide the necessary transparency, guidance and direction for the franchise and for Dodger fans everywhere."

The guidance for the Dodgers is now coming from the offices of Major League Baseball.

City Councilman Ed Reyes, whose district encompasses Dodger Stadium, said he wanted to learn more about the rationale for the takeover.

"I don't understand what made Major League Baseball take this action," Reyes said. "It is so dramatic and to come so suddenly makes it a shocker...

"I hope we see a resolution that is best for the Dodgers and Los Angeles."

"I commend Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig's wresting control of the Dodgers and bringing integrity back to the game," Antonovich said. "It is my hope that the commissioner appoints a representative from the O'Malley family (the team's owner from 1950-98) to oversee the team's business affairs during the investigation - a return of the O'Malley family to the Dodgers would be a home run for fans and the Dodgers."